WHEN STARS ALIGN

The Spring issue is here, and with that comes the Spring Equinox, warmer temperatures and the next season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars! This star studded show includes our cover girl dancer/choreographer Lindsay Arnold who is paired with 2 time World Series winner, MLB Cubs' catcher - David Ross! Of course, we talked with her in the days leading up to season 24 to talk about what we can expect, her background as a dancer and how she keeps it all balanced!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have seen you on  DWTS and are excited to see you on the upcoming season this month! Tell us about your journey in dance and how it led to being on DWTS?

LINDSAY ARNOLD: My mom put me in dance class when I was 5 years old and I immediately fell in love! I started competing when I was about 8 years old and that's when my parents and my coaches realized that this was something I should really pursue. 

Ever since I can remember, dance has been a part of my life and it has been such a family building activity! I am the oldest of 4 girls and we all dance. My parents who are not dancers opened a dance studio for us to train at, so that we could have a very family inclusive environment. Right after I graduated high school I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance and made it to the top 20. Competing on that show and making it to the top 8 really boosted my confidence as a dancer and made me realize that I could truly do anything I set my mind to! Not long after I finished SYTYCD I got a call from DWTS asking to be a professional on their show which was an easy yes for me!! I had watched DWTS since season 1 and had always dreamed to be on the show so I was extremely grateful and felt so blessed to have been given the opportunity. 

AM: Last year, we interviewed fellow DWTS dancer, Kym Johnson, about how she stays in great shape. What are your workouts like outside of dancing and what dances do you do to stay in shape? How is this different when you're working on DWTS?

LA: My favorite workout to do outside of dance is pilates. I have been doing pilates since high school and have found that it helps so much with not just strengthening muscles, but lengthening them as well, which is important as a dancer! The best dances to stay in shape are the faster paced upbeat ones. Jive is always a dance that gets me sweating and my heart rate pumping! 
 

AM: Who have been some of your favorite partners that you have danced with on the show?

LA: I honestly do not have a favorite partner because each one of them has been a completely different and amazing experience. Alek Skarlatos had zero dance experience and also had zero experience in the celebrity world. He was someone who was basically thrown into the spotlight and had a lot of things happening around him that he was not used to! It was a great learning experience for me to not only teach him how to dance, but help him cope with and learn how to handle the different social and business situations that would come his way. Wanyá Morris was one of my faves because he was so much fun and was an extremely great dancer! When I danced with him there were times when I felt like I was dancing with another professional dancer, which is exciting as a pro because it means you have done a great job at teaching. Calvin Johnson was my favorite because it was so rewarding as a teacher to watch him progress every single time and see the hard work pay off. Not only did he improve and become a great dancer, but he truly is one of the nicest, most humble, and all around incredible people I have ever met. 
 
AM: What is currently on your playlist when you're hitting the studio to dance?

LA: I love country music and find myself rocking out to Maren Morris lately. She has such a sass to her and I love listening to her lyrics, they have such a good story to them. 

AM: What athleisure wear brands do you enjoy wearing?
 
LA: Lululemon, Body Love Athletica and Fabletics 

AM: What style of dance would you say is your favorite?

LA: This answer changes daily.. honestly depends on my mood! If I am feeling happy and energetic, then jive or cha cha. If I am feeling a little feisty or upset paso doble or tango. That's the best thing about dance, it is that you truly can express your feelings through movement and it's such a great release! 
 
AM: Tell us about this season's DWTS' partner - David Ross - what's he like to work with and how is he different from other partners that you had on the show?

LA: David and I have only been working together for a couple weeks now, but it's crazy how quickly we established such an amazing friendship. He is such a down to earth and genuine guy and we get along so well! He works so hard and truly wants to do well in this competition, which is all I could ask for as a teacher. It's funny and I tell him this all the time, but he reminds me of my dad in so many ways they have very similar personalities and I love that about him makes me feel like I'm with family.

AM: If you could choose your next DWTS partner, who would you like to be paired with?
 
LA: I have always wanted Channing Tatum to be on the show. Step Up was one of my favorite dance movies growing up and he has some serious moves in that movie! Not to mention that he is extremely attractive, that always helps ;) 

AM: What's an average week like when you're on DWTS as there is so much going on with choreography, dancing, planning costumes and more!

LA: The weeks can get pretty crazy as there is so much going on and so many things that need to get done! I'm gonna give you a little schedule of what a week looks like starting with Tuesday because that's the first day of rehearsal for the week. 

Tuesday: I will get my music and dance style for the week and start to choreograph the routine on my own. David and I will rehearse 4-6 hours and I will teach him most of the choreography (typically 75 percent of routine). 

Wednesday: I will continue to finish choreographing dance on my time and also talk to our wardrobe department and production designer to discuss costuming and also staging (props, lighting, stage orientation, etc). David and I will rehearse 4-6 hours and I will try to finish teaching him the rest of the choreography. 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: David will do rehearsal 4-6 hours on each of these days working on finishing up any choreography, and then perfecting the dance and working on details. 

Sunday: David and I will go to the set at CBS studios and have our camera blocking. This is the time where they will work out all of the camera angles that will be used to shoot our performance and also give David and I time on stage to practice. Each couple usually gets 25 minutes on stage for camera blocking and then we will have a wardrobe fitting. We will rehearse 3-4 hours after camera blocking then go to bed to get ready for show day! 

Monday: SHOW DAY. Call time is 7 am and i go straight to hair and makeup for about 3 hours then I have a short 15 minute practice on stage with David then we have a full dress rehearsal 1:30-3:30 and live show 5-7. 
 

AM: What are your power foods when you need a lot of energy?
 
LA: I try to always have healthy snacks with me during rehearsal because I definitely need to be eating throughout or else I lose energy. I love bananas, almonds, avocados, and if I have time to prepare before I leave for work, grilled chicken is always something that will give me some energy. 

AM: What's next for you or where should we keep our eyes out for you?

LA:  I am enjoying my time on DWTS right now but I am extremely excited to see what the future holds for me. I have danced my entire life and absolutely love it, but am definitely interested in venturing out to other areas of the entertainment industry. Modeling, acting, singing are all areas I am interested in and hopefully you will see me involved in those things very soon. 

AM: What are you excited about for this season of DWTS?

LA: I am so excited to see the improvement in my partner David. He definitely came in to this competition with no dance experience It's only been a couple of weeks and I have already seen him improve so much. My favorite part about this job is watching someone step out of their comfort zone and succeed in something they never thought they could do! I don't care if they are the best dancer in the world I just want to see them gaining confidence in themselves and trying something new. 

AM: When you're in the midst of the madness of DWTS, how do you take some downtime to check in with yourself and after the season has ended, what do you do for me time?

LA: The biggest support in my life that helps me stay grounded and stay true to who I am is my husband Sam. He is the best remedy for a stressful day and always knows how to help me relax. Family time is truly the best thing in my life and is something that I am so grateful for. After the season has ended I love to go back to my hometown, Provo Utah, and get up into the mountains somewhere where it's quiet and peaceful and spend time with my husband. We love camping, hiking, fishing, anything outdoors.

Read more from the March Issue and see When Stars Align in mag.

SPRING MUST HAVES

Spring 2017 is underway which means we have a few items that we suggest for you to pop into your wardrobe, beauty routine, devices and of course for your nutrition!

| NUDWEAR  Olivia Backless Bra | REVABLEND Non-Electric Portable Blender | JIMMY CHOO L'eau | WELL - KEPT Screen Cleansing Towelettes|  NUGG BEAUTY Lip Mask | GOOD ZEBRA Spirit Animal Cookies in Chai, Lemon and Vanilla | L'OREAL Hydra Genius Liquid Care | MADALYNNE Nina Halter Bralette in Black |    

Read miore from the March Issue and see Spring Must Haves in mag.

HIS SPRING EQUINOX

Obviously, the Spring has us all feeling a certain kind of way with changing temperatures, longer days and more. That's more time to take your workouts outside, run errands without worrying about the weather and eating outdoors. We sat down with menswear designer, Stan Cheung to talk about his line EYSOM, how he became a designer and how he will enjoy the upcoming Spring Equinox.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you came to being a designer.

STAN CHEUNG: It wasn’t a conventional route. I began my career in Los Angeles, working in the executive buying program for May Department Store. Up till then, the experiences I had at the entertainment studios didn’t ignite my passions, so my mentor – who was the Dean of the Business School at USC – recommended that I pursue retail. He was right. It clicked. I fell in love with buying menswear. Back then there was a lot of autonomy in this role. You could take risks. You could be creative with buying assortments. But my experiences were cut short when Federated merged with May, and so my life took a turn and I moved to New York to work on private brands for Macys. 

New York City is where I really learned about the design world. My buying experiences in L.A. were a good fit for brand strategies in my new role. I quickly transitioned into product development after Macys saw my talent in this area. 

Working on multiple Macys’ brands led me to source factories all over the world, collaborate with them to create collections that resonated across Men’s, RTW and Children’s. I became fascinated in thinking, not only about fashion, but also about the white space and what would appeal to each brand’s end consumer.

Everyone knows New York is fast paced, which I loved. What I loved less were the long and weary winters. I longed for the L.A. sun. I came back to So Cal to take a role as creative director in the fast-fashion business. I led a design team that created collections for many of the largest U.S. retailers. In the business world of Juniors, you’re bound to create collections non-stop, and at some point you eventually burn out. That’s what happened to me. 

I took a short sabbatical to re-center. I spent a lot of time working on myself, both spiritually and physically, lots of meditation and workouts. Unable to find the right gym clothes, I decided to make them myself. With luck and good timing, I got a push through the Axe/Esquire Mentorship, and so EYSOM was born. 

AM: Tell us about EYSOM.

SC: EYSOM is truly a concept and collection that’s been brewing in my thoughts for over a decade. I’ve always been a workout fanatic. I take as much pride in my workout clothes as my “work” clothes. I found it so perplexing why it’s always so difficult to find great gym shorts. Men can find great jeans, fitted blazers, and the best dress shirts with much less effort. Why don’t the same rules apply to workout clothes?

EYSOM stands for “Exercise Your State of Mind”. The name itself is really about the journey to find balance between the body and the brain. In the logo, we used the M for Mind to reflect the sign of the heartbeat to show this connection as a symbol of feeling good — inside and out. Wellness today includes physical and spiritual wellness — we are much more conscious today of this wholeness feeling. We want integrity and totality in all that we do. 

The company really started from this emotion of wanting to offer men some thing better and different. I wanted to use really beautiful, yet technically functional fabrics. I wanted to create a line that was tailored, sporty and elegant at the same time. EYSOM is all about effortless designs that make you feel good when you put them on.
 

AM: How did it feel to have John Legend pick your brand to be included in the Axe Collective and what is the nature of this partnership?

SC: I was so honored. He’s such an amazing talent. In addition to being a style icon, he’s just an overall good guy. It was fantastic to have him be so into the brand. This encouragement gave me the extra energy to go after my vision. Had it not been for the Axe Collective, ESYOM would not have started when it did, and be where it is today.

AM: Presenting at NYFW Men’s must have been a great experience, tell us what it was like.

SC: It was such an amazing experience – it was so fast, but at that point in time, it was incredible to see the collection all come together. Now onto my third collection, it’s nice to see how the brand has evolved, but stayed true to that initial concept.

AM: You currently sell at Equinox, what's next for EYSOM?

SC: Equinox has been such a natural and organic fit. They’ve been hugely supportive of EYSOM. It has been an amazing way to expose their clients to the brand. Next for EYSOM, we are looking to organically expand in markets where there’s most interest – Europe and Asia. 

Also, I am starting to explore categories that people have been asking for. We have been asked since day one to add swimwear, including by Esquire Fashion Director Nick Sullivan. During the time the product has been in Equinox, we’ve also had a lot of requests to create a women’s line.

AM: What are the trends in menswear for this spring/summer that we can find in your line?

SC: EYSOM is always about being effortless and stylish all day, and year-round. You’ll notice our introduction into camouflage, which is a trend across all activewear, but we’ve taken a much more designer approach by playing with our signature print in a range of more sophisticated colors including sage green, brilliant navy, and red.

With the activewear trend, we also have our assortment of joggers and sweatshirts. 

AM: What are your favorite pieces in the EYSOM collection and where would we find you wearing them?

SC: Living in LA, you’ll find me wearing EYSOM about 90% of my life! I love the training shorts, because they have a tailored elegant feel that allows me to wear them in and out of the gym. I’m obsessed with the tops – usually in black, because the fabric is amazingly soft and you kind of don’t want to ever take it off.

AM: Where do you workout and what are your three favorite places to eat in NYC?

SC: I work out at Equinox obviously, but I’m also a regular at Barry’s Bootcamp because I love running. When I’m in NYC, I prefer running outdoors on the WSH or Central Park and just zoning out for miles at a time. 

I am a big food lover, especially in NYC. I think the right balance of a great workout is that you can enjoy and indulge in some great meals. My consistent go-to places would be Morimoto for sushi and Balthazar after working out in Soho. Indochine is my classic staple.

AM: With the Spring Equinox and having 12 hours of sun, how are you going to take advantage of the day?

SC: I’m obsessed with being outdoors, so I always take advantage of the LA sunshine. Hiking Runyon Canyon in the morning, enjoying the beaches of Malibu and Laguna, and of course, dining al fresco whenever I can. My favorite is The Beverly Hills Hotel or the garden at Pailhouse.

AM: What Axe Collection items are a part of your rotation?

SC: The Axe Gold Signature dry spray and skin hydrator body wash. 

Axe Gold Signature Dry Spray

Axe Gold Skin Hydrator Body Wash

Read more from the March Issue and read His Spring Equinox in mag.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

This month has been unpredictable with warm days that danced from Spring to Summer and reminders that Winter is still here with a lot of snow! Regardless, our skin needs love and these K-Beauty brands (and those that are inspired by their trends) are a must to get our skin nourished and summer ready!

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL

BOSCIA

BONIVIVANT @ MEMEBOX

KNC BEAUTY

| TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Egg Cream  Face Mask | BOSCIA Sake Balm | BONVIVANT @ MEMEBOX Botanical Mellow Clay Mask | KNC BEAUTY All Natural Collegen Infused Lip Mask |

Read more from the Feb Issue and see Athleisure Beauty's feature in mag.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW | THE ADULTING SLUMBER PARTY

We're not kids anymore, but there are times where we need to take our cue from our favorite childhood past times  to infuse in our adulting lifestyle. The Slumber Party was always a fun way to bring your favorites together. It was about having everyone in one room, eating pizza or snacks, trying beauty routines and of course having amazing gossip that hopefully never left the inner sanctuary. It was about coming together and bonding. To go to a slumber party was having an insiders access with your crew!

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We're older, wiser, and sophisticated, but the need to connect is still as important as ever! We identify with a number of tribes and whether we engage with them in their set spheres or mix it up, the Adulting Slumber Party is one that you need to add to your plans as much as your next brunch! The options are endless whether you hold it in your home, book a suite at one of your favoite hotels or check out a fabulous place on Home Away. Set a date, send out your Paperless Post and make sure you create an experience.

Our slumber parties can incorporate meditation, a yoga session, testing beauty products, creating some cocktails, amazing dishes to snack on and of course, being able to gab about any and everything that brings you together!

We suggest some must haves to get your night off to the right start with our finds that can be introduced to your tribe as well as enjoyed solo or at a future activity. 

| DULCE VIDA Grapefruit, Lime and Original | AVEDA Tulasara Wedding Masque Eye | GARNIER SKINACTIVE Micellar Cleansing Water  |
 

Read more from the Feb Issue and see Something You Should Know | The Adult Slumber Party in mag

IN AND OUT OF THE RING DANIELLE MOINET X SUMMER RAE

Our readers are STRONG, SEXY & SPOILED and of course, that means those that grace our covers and are featured in our pages embody this spirit as well! The world of the WWE includes some of the toughest athletes with dynamic personas and ever changing storylines that keep their fans waiting to see more every week! 

The ladies of the WWE are an elite powerhouse that represents vixens and villains. For those that need an extra dose (know and love this world) of the ladies, E! Networks' Total Divas - allowed viewers to see their lives in and out of the ring. Episodes showcase the ladies in the relationships, training, their personality, their personas and more. Our initial introduction to Summer Rae came during the second season of this show.

Summer Rae is a WWE athlete who fights in the RAW brand. Playing a villain role, she has won a number of single and tag team matches which keeps the crowds wanting more. Outside of the ring, Danielle Moinet is the complete opposite of her character; but, she shares the athletic sensibility as her career includes being a former professional football player as a cornerback for Lingerie Football League's Chicago Bliss (in addition to being a professional wrestler and wrestling manager). This Manhasset, LI native is also a model and actress who took the time to chat with us about her athletic career; what it's like to be a part of the WWE; the importance of giving back and insight into who Danielle is!

|  PHOTO COURTESY WWE |  

ATHLEISURE MAG: We love seeing you in the ring and being on E!'s Total Divas. Tell us about your career leading up to the WWE, as we know you played football, were the face of the Lingerie Football League, and you were an ambassador for Nascar's Bobby Labonte's team - how did this all come together with your love of sports?

DANIELLE MOINET: I have always been a fan of sports, both watching sports and playing sports. Growing up, I danced for many years and then I also ran track, jumped hurdles and played tennis. I’ve always had an athletic background and spent a lot of time in the gym in college. Playing football was definitely very fun. It was full contact seven on seven football. The ladies of the LFL hit hard. It’s not a gimmick. I’ve always had a passion for wrestling and loved watching it. I went to Monday Night Raw and watched it in the audience and thought, “Wow I can do that and I think I can do it well.” I decided to try out for WWE.

AM: We grew up in the 80's watching the WWE, when did you realize this was what you wanted to do and what was the process like to get to the ring?

DM: The thing that I love about WWE is everyone has a story. Everyone has someone they watched growing up. With me, my dad has no sons, only daughters, and I’m the oldest. I watched with my dad on Saturday mornings and when I was an adult I would sit at home and watch Monday Night Raw. I loved the soap opera! I became a fan again after college and that’s when I realized I wanted to submit. Now with NXT, Triple H has given people a great outlet to submit their resume and portfolio and be able to try to become a WWE Superstar. 

AM: We see the physicality that is needed to be a Diva, while also being able to be a total boss by being glam. It's such a unique sport that allows both - how is Danielle Moinet similar and different to Summer Rae?

DM: Very good question! Some people like to form their WWE persona based on an extension of themselves. For me it’s the total opposite. Summer Rae is everyone I wanted to be growing up: all of the girls I wasn’t and all of the things I wanted to say to people that I couldn't because I was too nice. Summer Rae is a conniving egotistical villain who will do whatever she needs to do to get what she wants. That’s why it’s so much fun to play her! I have never once been a good guy in WWE and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

|  PHOTOGRAPHY Vince Trupsin | MUAH Stella Kae | 

AM: This summer, we worked out with you and additional Divas during Summer Slam at Tapout here in NYC - between matches and doing PR events what is the schedule like when you're traveling and how are you able to balance your day to day life with that?
 
DM: Wow! That’s so cool that you came and worked out with us! That was the first time we had tried anything like that and my first time teaching an exercise class! It was inspiring to talk to different women. It was a special event for me. It's hard to find balance and in 2017 that is what I am going after. Balance. It is hard being a Superstar, being on the road 300 days a year filming and working events on your off days. Traveling and everything that comes with it is really hard. Having a group of people, whether they are family or friends that ground you when you’re home, it's important on those off days to step away from work. Otherwise, you will lose who you are. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past and its something I am really working towards in 2017.

AM: As an athlete, the physicality of the sport is demanding, what does your workout day look like when you're preparing to be in the ring versus when you have down time?

DM: Very good question! I've never had someone ask me this in an interview! I train very differently on days when I have a match versus days I don't. I don’t do my legs as much on days I have a match. I save my cardio days for TV. Sleep is the most important thing in this business. I like to do circuit training so I don’t overstimulate one body part. When you bump and have five matches in a week you’re going to be sore.

AM: Recovery is always essential when you're working out - we're fans of foam rollers, KT Therapy ice packs etc, what do you have on hand for a little TLC for your body?

DM: Recovery is very important. The number one thing I find that helps is sleep and I am the first person to say I don’t sleep nearly enough. On the off days I will force myself to sleep. Massage is something really great. I live by a great chiropractor and physical therapist. In Los Angeles, I have gone to PEAK Wellness and I have absolutely loved the practice. The people there have been so amazing to me. Dennis at PEAK is so amazing and I’ve loved working with them.

|  PHOTOGRAPHY Vince Trupsin | MUAH Stella Kae | 

AM: What is your favorite moment in the ring and who has been your favorite partner?

DM: My favorite moment in the ring is actually not a wrestling match. It was when I got to write my own promo and do it for everyone. It was in Chicago where I was living at the time. I got to break up with Rusev on screen. I really felt it and felt so fortunate that they let me write it. It was so amazing and the crowd was so behind me. It gives me chills to think about.

My favorite person to wrestle is Nattie. I always loved wrestling her. She’s someone who challenges me and made me try to be better every time I stepped in the ring with her. I also love Sasha Banks. The chemistry we have is amazing!
 
AM: Besides your life as an athlete, what other passions do you have as we know you have acted?

DM: Being in the Marine 4 was an amazing opportunity. I loved being on set and learning the way that works! Being in more films and being able to act is a goal. I love the idea of having an amazing day and channel different emotions into my work. It is such a talent to be able to do that and of course that is something I would love to do and love to study more. Being able to publicly speak and host as well and spread positivity.
 
AM: When you have personal time how do you take time for you to center yourself?
 
DM: Personal time is something that I am trying to work on more and have more of, and give myself. Being able to center myself is having a good support system. I center myself by going into the gym and having a great workout and catching up on some of my favorite shows. Taking time for me. Our personal time is so few and far between, that it’s something I really have to cherish when I have it.  

|  PHOTO COURTESY WWE |  

AM:  What is your personal style from what you wear when you workout, when you're going out to brunch and for a night out with your friends? 

DM: My personal style ranges. I live in workout clothes and I can be a tomboy. The word ATHLEISURE definitely suits me. I’m always in my hat on my day off, because I hate wearing makeup.  I have to let my skin breathe. Workout clothes all day! Whatever fits and is comfy. I love the girly side too and get styled. My style is very diverse.
 
AM: Clearly, you have a great body! What are 3 exercises that we can incorporate for great legs, arms and abs?

DM: For me, something that I started in the Fall that I had never tried before was Pilates. I had a lot of restrictions from wrestling as far as my mobility and neck. The thing I love about Pilates is that it's 50 minutes and it's full body, but you also use weights. I’ve tried a lot of different exercises. Pilates really helps shape my arms legs and abs. I had never done a plank until Pilates and now I see it in my shoulders and abs. It's long and lengthening. Pilates gives me the flexibility and is so safe on the joints and knees. It’s something I really have to think about. You can find all three in Pilates.
 
AM: When it comes to getting energy before a workout what do you suggest we should eat?

DM: Some people are very different when it comes to eating before working out. Some people like to eat and some people like to be empty. I like to be full. I don’t like my stomach growling. I like to eat a high protein meal. I prefer fats and carbs in each meal I eat. Having a good piece of chicken or turkey meat, a good 25/35 gms of protein. You don’t have to get fancy when it comes to caffeine pre workout. Black coffee is great. You can’t beat a double shot of espresso or a black coffee before you work out. I always have a shake right after I work out to get my protein in.

|  PHOTO COURTESY WWE |  

AM: When you're having a bit of a splurge, what is a treat that we can enjoy that tastes decadent, but isn't really that bad for you?

DM: I have a sweet tooth. Something for me that I crave is ice cream like crazy and want it all the time. Instead, I buy the fat - free Cool Whip from the market and freeze it. Then it’s like fake ice cream. I just need a little bit. It’s no fat or carbs and not nearly as bad as ice cream. I find myself only having one or two spoonfuls. It gives me that satisfaction. 

AM: What charities or foundations do you work with and tell us about them.

DM: I work with the DTM Foundation which was started and by my sister Nicolette Moinet. They work with medically fragile children at UNC and Duke hospital. Anytime I’m back home in North Carolina I love to help them in any way I can whether it be hospital visits or the comfort cooks program. We make food for the families that are basically living at the hospital with their children. With WWE, we are so fortunate to work with so many other great initiatives include our anti-bullying program Be a STAR, Special Olympics, Make a Wish, Susan G. Komen and so many others. 

Read more from the Feb Issue and the In and Out of the Ring Danielle Moinet X Summer Rae feature specifically here.

ATHLEISURE MAG | FEB 2017

We're excited to share the release of our Feb issue with Danielle Moinet aka WWE's Summer Rae on the cover as we chat about her athletic career, her workouts, and more. This month's issue focusing on the love of a number of things also includes a number of food editorials including Cochon555 as well as another Athleisure Kitchen at Dos Caminos (just in time for taco Tues).

See the full issue here!

OSCARS 2017 | BEST DRESSED

Oscar night was filled with all of the expected glitz and glam that one can expect from the final awards show of this season. We have our favorites above and will expand on these artists as we find out more about what they wore and in some cases, the makeup look.

Our favorites: Hailee Seinfeld, Riz Ahmed, Isabelle Rupel, Chrissy Teigen, Ryan Seacrest, Taraji P Henson, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monae

LFW FW17 | Versus Versace

Photo: Marcus Tondo / Indigital.tv

Versus Versace hit London Fashion Week with a number of looks that embody the athleisure spirit. From track suits, fun outerwear, jersey dresses and so much more that are perfect for layering in the fall. Of course, there is that sophisticated edge that runs through the mens and women's collection. Our favorites are in the above carousel.

PHOTO COURTESY Marcus Tondo / Indigital.tv

NYFW FW17 | Alice + Olivia

The boho glam meets statement prints was on display to showcase Alice and Olivia's NYFW FW17 show. From the blush tones, neutrals, camo and intricate designs - this is making us excited for next fall's style which brings out our inner femme rockstar goddess!

PHOTO COURTESY Alice + Olivia

IN OUR BAG POST WORKOUT

After an intense workout, you want to make sure that you get to have a proper rest to allow your body the time it needs to look its best! These are the perfect items to have on hand for your each and every studio session.

| DOVE Advanced Care Invisible Sheer Fresh 48h | SUNDAY CATS Freezie Pops in Watermelon, Pineapple and Strawberry Lemonade | KT RECOVERY+ Ice/Heat | COACH Rogue Satchel | SKINDINAVIA Post Makeup Recovery Spray | HYDROPEPTIDE Stimulating Relief Balm |

Read more from the Jan Issue.

HONEY BEAUTY

Honey is an ingredient that not only tastes good, but also works well in your skincare. Honey is known as a great way to treat acne as it is an anti-bacterial, it's filled with antioxidants and can slow the aging process down, and it creates a glow to the skin as it is moisturizing as well as soothing.

| FARMACY Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy™ Honey | THE BODY SHOP Almond Milk & Honey Gently Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub | SOFTSOAP Honey Creme & Lavender |

Read more from the Jan Issue.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

Colder temperatures can be tough for skin! You find yourself constantly applying various lotions, lip balms and more. Below are some of our favorite lotions that we suggest you have on hand as well as the perfect lip balm. 

| VASELINE® INTENSIVE CARE™ Deep Moisture Jelly Cream | AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Body Yogurt Lotion Apricot + Honey | CERAVE Healing Ointment | NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Treatment |

Read more from the Jan Issue

ON AIR | KEEP YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE WHEN TRAVELING

There's no excuse to stop working out or to change what you do due to equipment available in hotel gyms etc. Our Style Director, Kimmie Smith shared what she brings with her in her carryon to continue working out whether she's gone overnight OR for a few days! She appeared on The Jet Set with host Nikki Noya to share finds. Check your local station to see whether it's on CW, FOX etc in your area.

ON THE SEGMENT | TRX TRX Go Suspension Training | MANDUKA Yoga Travel Mat | W8FIT Wrist Weights | DYLN Alkaline Water Bottle | TOE SOX | SKLZ Jumprope + Gliders | MIEL Sport Bra + Underwear | AIR REPAIR SKINCARE Air Repair Kit | LO ROX Foam Travel Roller | SAJE Pocket Farmacy | VERA BRADLEY Packable Cube | HERSCHEL SUPPLY Bag | KARL LAGERFELD PARIS Sneakers |

WHAT KIMMIE'S WEARING | BELOFORTE Long Sleeve Shirt | FOREVER 21 X LA LAKERS Tank | 90 DEGREE BY REFLEX Rose Gold Leggings | ADIDAS Superstar | SHE'S KIMMIE Stacked Beaded Bracelets | MISFIT Ray | OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE COSMETICS Alt Girl Lip Tar | SALLY HANSEN Wine Stick in Miracle Gel |

GOOD A WELLNESS FESTIVAL

This Spring, we've got GOOD news. Our Style Director, Kimmie Smith will be a part of The GOOD Festival in April. What’s GOOD? It’s an entire day dedicated to health and wellness - a festival dedicated to feeling GOOD and creating a life that fulfills you.

Join our Style Director this year in Philly. To put it simply, The GOOD Fest includes: good vibes, a kickass workout, serious inspiration from those in the wellness space, great food, and an unbelievable sense of community. GOOD is an event that will challenge and excite you - and leave you happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than when you arrived. 

THE GOOD FEST
- All-day experience
- Date: April 22, 2017 // Location: Skybox Event, Philadelphia, PA
- Community of like minded women
- Work out and fresh lunch included
- Swag Bag (over $100.00 in product)
- Incredible Speakers 

LUKE BRACEY GETS EXTREME

This month, we attended the launch party for POLO RED which announced the new face, Luke Bracey, for the high selling cologne. We took a few moments to find out about the actor who has been in a number of movies including, the Point Break as well as Hacksaw Ridge, which is enjoying a lot of buzz during this awards season.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was it like being selected for POLO RED?

LUKE BRACEY: The process of becoming the face of POLO RED has been so enjoyable and fun. I’m so honored to be the new face of POLO RED – being part of such an iconic brand is truly a privilege. Having the opportunity to work with Bruce Weber was also a great experience. He's a beautiful man and is so talented.
 
AM: What are your duties as the face of POLO RED?

LB: As the face of POLO RED I truly live and breathe the fragrance – I focus on bringing the speed, adrenaline, power of the POLO RED EXTREME lifestyle to men everywhere. Next I'll be joining the Ralph Lauren Fragrances team in Madrid to help kick off the global launch of the fragrance.
 
AM: Say 3 words describing POLO RED.

LB: Endurance, adrenaline, boundary-pushing. 
 
AM: You're a busy man as you were in the remake of Point Break, you were in Hacksaw Ridge which had a lot of buzz this awards season, what movie will we see you in next?

LB: I’ve got a couple of movies in the pipeline, but being the face of POLO RED is the role that I’m really focusing on right now.
 
AM: You're in great shape, besides surfing what workouts do you do?

LB: I’m very no-nonsense when it comes to fitness. I do 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups every day. When I get to the gym, I like to keep it pretty basic and my routine tends to vary. Sometimes I go through periods where I go to the gym 5 days a week, and then take a few weeks off and before getting back into it. It’s all about balance.

AM: How do you give time to yourself?

LB: One of my favorite things to do is read. Right now I’m reading a great book called "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall. It’s a captivating book about how geography still plays a pivotal role in politics today. Even though it's 2017, geography is still the biggest factor. In addition to reading, I like to be in the water as much as possible. I try to go surfing and swim as much as I can.
 
AM: What's your personal style?

LB:  My style is pretty relaxed - I'm a tee shirt and jeans guy most of the time. I love my Blundstone boots, they’re definitely a staple in my personal style. When I’m hanging out with friends I’m usually in board shorts and flip flops.

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 2017

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER | STERLING FOREVER Gold Solid X Layered Ring | ISOLA Rose & Vanilla Cream Perfume Body Oil Set | RALPH LAUREN FRAGRANCE GIFT SET Ralph Lauren Romance Fragrance + Dylan's Chocolate Gift | DEEPA BY DEEPA GURNANI Chantel | LATIGO Kick | COLDWATER CREEK Scarf |

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR HIM | LULU DHARMA Argyle Weekender | HUCKLEBERRY 18K Satin Brushed Yellow Gold Black Diamond "Lucky You" Horseshoe Ring | THE BODY SHOP Maca Root Rescue Kit | DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB Subscription Kit |

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR THEM | GOOP Fragrance Edition 01, Winter l | ILUMINAGE  Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask | PIKOLINOS Bolsos MHA | TULLIANI Desire Sunglasses | AMARTE Max2 |

Read more from the Jan Issue here.

I WANT YOUR HEART

Our cover shoot took place at DOGPOUND, NYC's hottest new gym. This boxing haven brings celebrities, Victoria's Secret Angels, models, athletes, and those that are truly enthusiastic about perfecting their look. DOGPOUND has become the prime location where this all comes together through their focus on training members through personalization of their individual goals.

After spending the afternoon shooting here for our anniversary issue, we had some questions for this temple of fitness. What started from a group of workout buddies, has grown into DOGPOUND founded by Kirk Myers.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us how DOGPOUND came to be before coming to your present location in Tribeca? 

KIRK MYERS: DOGPOUND was originally called Kirk Fitness. I was working as a personal trainer, but my business started growing really rapidly. It was then I met Breylis Pena, who wanted to become a trainer, and we formed a group in the morning made up of clients who wanted to workout but didn't have a lot of time during the day. We started calling ourselves DOGPOUND. At the time we were renting space out of multiple gyms, but it wasn't long before we outgrew the spaces--even getting kicked out. So, we decided to build our own. 

AM: What is DOGPOUND and what is the meaning behind the name? 

KM: Some of our clients started bringing their dogs to the workouts. 

AM: What is your background and what led you to create this studio? 

KM: I was a chunky kid, but my health took a pretty big downturn when I suffered from heart failure. I knew I would need to make some pretty serious changes. I started working out, I started to see the results, they wanted to work out with me. My training business started to grow. I started at 23, and I've always been an independent trainer. I realized that in order to be the top trainers in the world, we needed our own home base. 

AM: It's clear that beyond being a studio and a method, that it is a culture - what about it has made it a destination for models, celebrities, etc as a place to get the physique that your members want? 

KM: I think there's a couple reasons why. It's because we are so passionate about what we do, and people see that and recognize it. That type of energy is infectious. We are in an up and coming neighborhood, we want our clients to feel safe and comfortable in the space and we are results oriented. We've created a community, so most of the celebrities and models who workout here, their friends workout here too. 

AM: On the same note, how do you select trainers that you onboard to the DOGPOUND family? 

KM: We hire passionate and positive trainers. That's our number one and number two. Our roster of trainers is pretty diverse. It is not really about what you've accomplished, but where you want to go. You really want to be a trainer, you really want to help people? That's the kind of trainer we want. We can develop the trainers and give them the education they need. We have our entire boxing program. No one ever boxed before the program, but we brought someone in who was a world class boxer and he taught us how to box and now we have a boxing program. You have to want to learn. Some of our top trainers weren't trainers when they started. We look for trainers who want to constantly seek improvement. Just like our clients come here to be a better version of themselves.

AM: We like that those who are members of your gym have the ability to be trained by a number of your trainers, what was the thought process behind that and how do you feel that that is beneficial to them? 

KM: Because it’s always been my own business, I've had long term clients. The issue is that they can get bored working out with only one person. Not only do the clients get bored, but the trainer gets bored. When you have a team, you can offer strengths that you don't have personally in your service. It creates variety. Just today, I had a client who likes boxing, but I don't box, so I had him warm up with some boxing techniques with another trainer. Another client has a knee bothering him so I had a trainer that has more physical therapy background work with him. Workouts don't get stale. And, simply for a time standpoint, it allows for clients to make sure they can fit their workout in. If a client want's to workout but their only availabilty is at ten, but I'm booked at ten, they can work out with someone who has an opening at that time. Here you can always get into workout with somebody. 

AM: Besides the location at Tribeca, are you planning additional locations? 

KM: Yes. 

AM: Do you sell apparel that is branded with DOGPOUND or other brands? 

KM: As of right now, you can't really get apparel unless you come directly to the location. It's available only at the gym. 

AM: What types of workouts are offered at DOGPOUND? 

KM: Boxing, HIIT, Strength Training

AM: How important is offering nutrition as a service? 

KM: It's extremely important. I think nutrition is 70% of your fitness goal. 

AM: Clearly, you're a busy man, when you're not working, what can we find you doing on your "off time"?  

KM: Relaxing and snuggling with my Pooh Bear. Oh, and watching the Raiders. 

AM: When did you introduce the Machine Gun? 

KM: Four years ago. 

AM: What does the studio look like? Any signature decor? 

KM: It was designed by Fabien Baron. Black, white, and concrete. Very sleek look. 

AM: I know you have a varied clientele but could you generalize a bit and give me a brief description of the folks who go there? 

KM: There are finance guys and girls, artists, athletes, celebrities, models and a lot of people who just want to get results. 

AM: Can you be more specific about how the various disciplines are combined? Are you going from holding a yoga pose straight into a resistance exercise straight into a jump squat? 

KM: Just want to paint a clearer picture of the progression of the class.  The only class we offer is boxing, but we always start a one on one session with a dynamic warmup, but the workout is specific to each person's goals. All of our one on one programs are individualized. If you are a dancer, there will be more flexibility, toning and core work, but if you are looking to join the 1000lb club, there is going to be more strength training and heavy lifting.

Read more from the Jan issue.

WELLNESS TRENDS 2017

Last month, we talked with Jason Wachob of mindbodygreen and his Annual Wellness Report that looks at trends taking place in 2017. We also interviewed those who work in those fields. We took a moment to chat with Craig Elbert, Founder and CEO of Care Of. We talked about how he conceived of the company that focuses on vitamin/supplement personalization, and more! 

Last month, we talked with Jason Wachob of mindbodygreen and his Annual Wellness Report that looks at trends taking place in 2017. We also interviewed those who work in those fields. We took a moment to chat with Craig Elbert, Founder and CEO of Care Of. We talked about how he conceived of the company that focuses on vitamin/supplement personalization, and more! 

CRAIG ELBERT: Prior to Care Of, I worked at Bonobos which is a men's apparel brand here in NY and I had the joy of joining it when they had 10 people and then growing it to over 250 people by the time that I left. One thing that we were really bullish on was how do we grow a great customer experience in a category that was stagnant in the case of that brand, it was men's khaki pants. There was nothing more boring than men's khaki pants but we wanted to make it more interesting.

While there, I had an interesting experience to purchase vitamins and supplements as I was getting them for myself and trying to get things to be healthier and to also purchase pre-natal vitamins for my wife. The experience of going into the vitamin stores it was just a bad consumer experience it felt bad and it was confusing as well as overwhelming. It felt just a little bit of a manipulative situation. So what we wanted to do was to take a look at how we could do something that was more consumer friendly - giving people the advice that they needed and to ultimately give them the knowledge on what was right for them.

For me, my experience in a brick and mortar store, there are thousands of products on the shelves. I didn't know which ones would be right for me and the store clerk who was just being paid above minimum wage - didn't give me great confidence that he/she could provide the right information. So we spent just about over a year working with experts (nutritionists, naturopaths, doctors, academics) who were focused on the space to figure out what are the different use cases for vitamins and supplements and what the use cases behind them and how do we help people to figure out what is right for them. That's how I, as a consumer who was trying to shop for the products myself, came to this.

AM: This is so true. I have been going to places like GNC since I was in highschool as I know the types of vitamins/supplements that I need. Or if I was thinking of something new to try that it was a bit overwhelming to select from the choices. 

What struck me about your website is that you have a clean interface as well as descriptions of what it is as well as how it is beneficial to your body.

How do you guys go about deciding what types of items will be offered for consumers?

CE: One of the things that we found and started seeing in our research, we initially found was that we were only going to offer items that had scientific research and strong scientific support. One of the things that we found early on was that some things have scientific support and others don't. There are products like Vitamin D and Folic Acid that doctors have a lot of date and support that it is good for your body and that you have something like Fish Oil which has good science but there are some studies that show it's a bit of a mix. Then you have probiotics which have a lot of promising research, but it's still early on.

So we realized that there is a spectrum, and that for our product offering we wanted to focus on anything that had at least good science and we basically cut out the things that didn't have great science and started with ones that had good science for traditional usage and that were ones that could be used for common human goals, whether that was for stress, energy or something more long term like heart health and bone health. So we tried to just cover things that people are looking for and cross referenced that with scientific support.

AM: So over the course of the year, whether they met your criteria - will you be adding more supplements/vitamins into the mix?

CE: So we do plan to add more. Our goal right now is that we launched with about 30 products - we'll get up to about 50 with different doses. We never want to have thousands of products as we feel that it is overwhelming and so we do plan to add on products as we have our pre-natal, which we have worked on for a long time which will launch in Feb or early March. We have a probiotic that launched this month and then we have turmeric and elderberry that is also launching this month. So we do plan to continue to introduce products but we don't plan on having thousands of them.

AM: I liked seeing that you are adding in turmeric and elderberry as those are two products that I use in addition to fish oil. Tumeric is on trend this season as a flavor that we will see a lot of as well. What is the process like for someone who is new to the site when they are picking products for their monthly subscription box?

CE: We wanted to keep it simple. We have them take a little personalization quiz, where we ask about their goals, their diet, their lifestyle and their values. Based on that we cross reference it with the research that we have done as their recommendation. They are able to see that and then adjust to their pack as they wish. They can take something out, add in or leave it as it is. Then they place their order and each month in that box, will be 30 daily packets all personalized for that individual with their name on it and the products inside. We try to make it easy as well as a bit of fun. The survey takes about 3-5 minutes and it helps to guide all the recommendations. 

AM: What drew me is that the packets have the person's name on them which I think is so cute and in an age of emailing and faceless activity it was a nice touch. With people who are busy or who travel a lot you can just see something that reminds you of home and you can seamlessly add it into your daily life.

CE: Yeah, one thing that we talk a lot about in personalization is the combination of technology as well as human empathy. We are building a brand that is focusing on using technology to make things easier so having the human touch factor is key. From having your name on it to having our customer experience team led by Amy here who is awesome in terms of responding to customers and ensuring that we have a good dialogue that feels humanly and not just a scientific laboratory. We wanted it to feel human, warm and empathetic, which is important for the brand.

AM: What are things you're looking to do as Care Of grows in 2017?

CE: We are definitely looking to build an app this year and are a little tight-lipped on what that will be in terms of features. Down the road, our goals are to focus on the business of personalized health. That could be vitamins and supplements and then additional products. We want to wade through the information that is out there and to make it easy for our customers for personalization which is a nice broad growth opportunity for us over time.

Right now we recognize that we are a new brand and we have to be able to execute and connect with customers on these first products that we have with these vitamins and supplements. So far it has been a lot of fun!

AM: Why do you feel that personalization in this field as well as in general is such a major trend that a lot of brands across various categories are looking to implement as we continue into 2017?

CE: As people, we're all very different and I think that we like to have this recognized. Realistically, we can live healthier if we focus on our individual needs. What's fun right now is that technology is making that possible. We're looking to unlock that technology to be able to build something that people always want to recognize that difference and being special and to have something that is unique for them which we can do for them with the technology that we have. 

Nutrition is an ongoing trend that we see from year to year. We caught up with Amanda Bacon of Moon Juice to learn about how she helps people's body and skin from the inside out. This was initiated by her own journey in food as a chef, food journalist and finding her way to her best self through her diet.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell us about your background?

AMANDA BACON: I traveled a lot through Europe and South America - living in Italy, then Uruguay for a while. These experiences stirred a love not only for the preparation of food, but in tracing ingredients back to their purest forms. When I came back to the states, I went to study at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont, working at local bakeries and dairies. When I landed in California, I was fortunate to cook under Suzanne Goin at Lucques for a number of years. I truly found a mentor in her. I then moved into food journalism, reporting for LA Times Magazine when it launched. 

In 2006, I began studying the power of raw, medicinal foods to heal the hypothyroid condition I had had since I was a teen, in addition to my severe allergies to wheat, sugar, and cow dairy. Although I was still working as a chef in fine dining, at this juncture my whole diet changed. I ate primarily vegetables and legumes from the farmer’s market, and foods that would serve as hormonal adaptogens. Within a few months, I noticed a radical shift. My next round of blood work revealed that my thyroid hormone levels were back to normal.

Working in fine dining was amazing, but my own transformative experience – backed up by extensive blood tests, the scrutiny of several physicians, renewed feelings of vitality, and a shift in my personality, immunity, appearance, and thought – inspired me to create Moon Juice. These live, medicinal foods changed me from the inside out.

AM: Why do you like sharing about the power of medicinal foods that could work for you from the inside out?

AB: Food can be powerful medicine and no one has experienced its effects more dramatically than I have. Before I began to cook and eat in a way that allowed me to thrive cosmically, my thyroid was slow, allergies were rampant and I had the general feeling that I wasn’t optimizing this life and the body I was traveling in. There’s nothing I love more than talking to people about the ways that they can use food as medicine. The Moon Juice Cookbook is one of the ways I can help people.

AM: Why did you create Moon Juice?

AB: I created Moon Juice for people interested in a new way of living. Not a way where you have to erase your past, but a way fueled by excitement to help yourself live better. Our only intention is to add goodness and beauty to your life.

AM: What are the benefits that one may feel by including this in their dietary regimen?

AB: Being so clean on the inside that it shows in your skin. Having a complete makeover on your life outlook. Being a part of a movement that is changing the way food is produced and consumed. And no dishes! 

High functioning, bioavailable, potent, medicinal whole foods are packed with exceptionally high levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes turning them into tools we can use to tone, nourish and empower our bodies. These foods heal your cells, protect against oxidation, slow the aging process and support your immune system by stimulating and supplementing your bodies disease and infection fighting properties.

AM: We always enjoy a great drink and towards the end of last year we were introduced to Farmer Willie's, which is an alcoholic ginger beer drink that's not only refreshing but will definitely be a great beverage to enjoy during the summer!

We talked with the Co-Founders Nico and Max of this brand. What was your background and how did that lead you to working with one another, and what's the story behind creating Farmer Willie's.

NICO ENRIQUEZ: I first met Willie Fenichel 11 years ago on a beach in Cape Cod. I was this little kid who saw a makeshift beach volleyball game down the beach and asked to join. Turns out that the league of volleyball misfits was an every day thing. Little did I know that after that first game I would be hooked to a degree that I would literally try and spend every hour of sunlight during the summer playing with this crazy group. 

Willie's sister was the unofficial official league commissioner (she started the tradition and is in charge of bringing the net and ball to this day). I started eating dinner at their farm every day after games. Soon the Fenichel family became my second family. 

After getting to know Willie over several years he began sharing his home-brewed ginger beer recipe with me. It was amazing. I was always an entrepreneurial kid, I was trying to figure out ways to live the Cape life with the Fenichels all summer and not have my parents disown me as a beach bum, so I began dreaming, and told him we had to try bringing the ginger beer to the farmer's market in Ptown and see if we could make a living off it. Willie was in. 

Fast forward several years, I was about to turn 21 and I was sitting in my best friend's dorm room at Brown University. I started telling him about my dream to sell this alcoholic ginger beer with Willie. Max Easton (my best friend & business partner) had grown up working in the restaurant industry in London because his mom ran several bars and restaurants. He was an adventurous soul and I was an overly enthusiastic salesman, so he joined the cause without ever trying the ginger beer.

MAX EASTON: I spent most of my life on the other side of the pond in London, England, and grew up working in the restaurant industry as my mother started & managed several pub & bar companies in the UK. I was interested in coming to the US for college as I had no idea what I wanted to study & the UK university system really makes you focus on one major from the beginning. I had heard amazing things about Brown because of its reputation as a great academic school but partnered with a much cooler, less intense student body. I applied early, fortunately got accepted & headed to Brown after taking a gap year.

Nico and I met because he lived around the corner from my ex-girlfriend and I loved hanging out with him because he was always so happy & optimistic, and I found our times together hilarious (and still do) because we have polar opposite personalities. To characterize, I am the buttoned-up Brit and he's permanently got sand in his hair. 

We became closer & closer friends and one Spring night Sophomore year we were chilling in my room chatting about things we were doing or interested in. We both loved the idea of starting our own thing as both our parents were entrepreneurs, and so we started throwing out ideas. This was the moment when Nico mentioned Willie and his legendary ginger beer: as far as I remember, his words were: "I know this guy named Willie, who lives out on the Cape and he makes this amazing alcoholic ginger beer. I always thought it could be something. What do you think?" To be honest, I had no idea what to think, but after I said why not, Nico applied to this small Brown accelerator program to get us some funding & mentoring. We pitched the idea (without me having tried the product or met Willie) and we were accepted. That was definitely the start, but it only kept going because it was all hilarious and we enjoyed learning the steps you took to starting a business. We had both planned to start our own businesses some day, so why not learn about it while doing something fun? There was just no downside to us giving it a shot, so we kept taking small steps until it ended up being something pretty legit.

AM: When did Farmer Willie's launch?

NE: We launched May 22nd of 2015 at the Farmer's Market in Provincetown- a little under 2 years ago. We spent the 1.5 years before that day preparing, interviewing, working canning lines, filing legal papers, raising money, etc.

ME: The moment Nico mentioned Willie & his ginger beer in my dorm room was Spring Semester of Sophomore year. We kept working on it our Sophomore & Junior years - we brewed small-scale test batches, worked out where we could produce, sorted out the legal framework of the company, designed our logo & can, did more start-up competitions, talked to people in the industry etc. - and we had everything set by the end of our Junior Year so we decided to start selling it commercially. As Nico described, we started selling at the Provincetown farmers' market after our Junior year finals & lived out on the Cape at Nico's grandma's house for three months self-distributing cases to around 50 bars, restaurants & liquor stores. So, in terms of proper selling, we have been selling for just over a year and a half, but we have been working on Farmer Willie's for almost three years now. Many small steps!

AM: Ginger is an ingredient that has not only been on trend as a flavor for a number of years, but is definitely a core one when you think about wellness, what was the thought behind combining it with alcohol?

NE: Willie started brewing his ginger beer because he was bored in the winter living on the Cape and his mom was making beach plum wine, so he decided to try something different. He loved ginger and began seeing what would happen when he grated fresh ginger and added lemon juice, cane sugar, and yeast (to ferment it and add carbonation). Needless to say, the home-brew was spectacular. Fresh, simple ingredients go a long way. 

ME: We didn't! It's was all Willie. But the ginger trends were definitely one of the things that got us excited when we first looked into whether we could make Willie's ginger beer into something. It's exploding in bars & restaurants with cocktails such as Moscow Mules & Dark n' Stormies, juice bars & farm-to-table restaurants. So the idea that we could create a fresh, dry & seasonable alcoholic ginger beer that you can drink straight out of the can just seemed awesome. We drink it all the time and it's like nothing else in the ginger beer space.

AM: What are the health benefits that one can enjoy while consuming Farmer Willie's and how is it different than other beverages that are in its category or related categories?

NE: We can't ever say our beverage is healthy because it still contains alcohol and the FDA would do terrible things to us. That being said, what sets this ginger beer apart is that we use real ginger and it isn't so damn sweet. 

If you look at the mass produced ginger beer everyone drinks or even the specialty supermarket versions those ginger beers have anywhere between 30-60g of high fructose corn syrup which is 3X-6X more sugar than ours (and we use cane sugar). This means that other ginger beers have 170-200 calories in their cans - all from sugar. We have 150 calories in our can - 110 which come from the 4.5% ABV. So basically you can have a real fresh, dry ginger beer with alcohol and still consume less sugar than your average non-alcoholic ginger beer. To us, it's a no brainer (unless you are under 21, of course!).

We use simply prepared, real ingredients, such as cold pressed ginger, lemon, nutmeg, molasses. None of the "natural flavoring" crap. Ginger is a superfood, lemon gives you vitamin C. I don't know what nutmeg does for you but its a spice. Molasses doesn't do much but it sounds good haha.

ME: You grow a ginger beard. But seriously, we can't say that there are health benefits as we will get into trouble, but compared to other ginger beers, there is no comparison. As Nico said, there is a reason we are a much fresher, much more refreshing ginger beer.

But, in general, we're a fresh, low sugar, gluten-free alternative to beer. You are drinking something that lifts you up and you can drink it straight out of the can so you can bring it anywhere without an issue.

AM: Tell us about how you came upon the design of the can, as well as the logo as we love how distinctive it is.

NE: The can was designed by a legendary girl named Juliette Weiss. She is our head of design. We met because when we were studying at Brown, Juliette was down the hill, studying at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). Our entrepreneurship professor Danny Warshay introduced us. We told her we wanted a clean, but quirky can to reflect our weird story and real ingredients. 

On our second meeting, Juliette came in with the idea that we make the front of the can into Willie's ginger beard so people could get the beard while they drink and post photos online. Obviously we had to do it. Especially because everyone knows puns and hipster-ass beards are the key to a Brown student's heart. Juliette absolutely killed it on the design and we ended up winning a prestigious package design award the next year. 

ME: The legend, Juliette Weiss. She's a beautiful, wonderful, pain in the ass - and we are so lucky to have her on the team. 

AM: Where is Farmer Willie's sold and where would you like to see it?

NE: Farmer Willie's is sold in MA and RI. Specifically in MA, we are sold on the North Shore, Boston, South Shore, Cape, and Islands. There are a ton of places that we would absolutely love to see Farmer Willie's sold. We love the sea and the ginger and lemon kill it with seafood and clean fresh ingredients so obviously the Matunuck Oyster Bar in RI, the Beachcomber in Wellfleet (out on the Cape), Branchline in Watertown (that place is literally fire), and The Poynt in Newburyport. Also, it's light and refreshing as hell straight out of the can so the spots, where we dance like idiots in Boston like Middlesex Lounge or Middle-east would be absolutely primo. Regardless, if you do not see Farmer Willie's in your local liquor store or bar and want it there, please ask them to ask for it because that truly helps us build this.  

AM: Will Farmer Willie's have any brand extensions into other categories, flavors etc?

NE: We are working on some absolutely awesome flavors to compliment our approach of fresh ginger and low sugar. I can't say what specific flavor twists yet though... 

AM: How is Farmer Willie's aligned to Athleisure Culture?

NE: We believe in having a damn good time but taking care of yourself at the same time. Basically real ingredients, low hassle, adventures for days. Also, the only thing that keeps us sane as we work 80 hour weeks building this thing are the mind-clearing runs.

AM: Will Farmer Willie's be involved in events, tradeshows, promotions etc that will take place this spring/summer?

NE: Absolutely, we are planning some speakeasy parties around Boston this Spring for people who follow us on social media each month. We are trying to organize some beach volleyball games outside the Beachcomber this summer.
Also we will be doing plenty of brewfests and tastings every Friday and Saturday night... anyone can send me an email nico@thefarmerwillies.com to ask which tastings/fest may be in your area if you want to meet anyone on the team.

AM: As co-founders when you're not running the brand, how do you take time for yourselves?

NE: We both dance like fools whenever possible. 

Sundays, I go for a hike or super long bike ride to explore the area around Boston. I find the air clears the head and slows down your thinking and there isn't the impact of running so I can give my knees and ankles a rest. Last adventure I found a crazy 200 ft rock quarry and got kicked out then lucked on some old WW2 forts on the north shore. Sunday night I go home to my parents house and chill with the fam, read the Sunday paper and eat the home cooking... Not gonna lie I bring my laundry home. 

Max loves running as well, nice food, bit of whiskey & chilling with his girlfriend. He also loves building up his music playlists & finding new music, which is awesome for me. He's the kind of man who takes over the music at a party, but honestly it is always for the better because people tend to dance a bit more. He knows how to read a party for sure. 

ME: It really depends on my mood, but I really do love running to shake off any stress or clear my mind. Got that from my mum & Nico. But if I have more time, I love finding new music, going for an awesome meal or going for a great walk with someone chill. Anything where you can come back feeling refreshed. 

AM: Nico, we heard that you run marathons, how did you prepare for it, what was the training like and when is your next one?

NE: I grew up just off Heartbreak Hill so I always wanted to do the marathon. The year I turned 19, I ran it but it was the bombing year and I was on the final stretch of Boylston when the bombs went off so I felt I really had to do it again. 

I run 5-7 miles every day and don't really have time for more so my training was just that. I had super slow times and the two days after the races were always painful and I was so stiff that I had to walk down stair backwards, but it was always more about proving it to myself then anything else. The next one is definitely on my radar- I want to do NY and others, but no idea when I will have the time or the stupidity to forget the pain of haphazard marathons of the past. 

See more from the Jan Issue 

ATHLEISURE MAG; JAN 2017

Our Jan Issue, the Anniversary issue is out tomorrow but you can take a peek now, right here!

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | Paul Farkas